Forget your LBD, make a statement in a red dress
Hollie Brotherton
Lifestyle & Commerce Senior Writer
Exuding confidence, glamour and a little bit of romance, everyone needs a red dress in their repertoire. Showstopping but still classic, nothing turns heads quite like a red dress.
Whether it's summer or the festive season, it's a piece that requires minimal accessories to make a statement and flatters every hair colour and skin tone. From sleek red dresses with spaghetti straps, to statement pieces with voluminous silhouettes, scroll on for all of the best red dresses to shop now.
The best red dresses at a glance
- The red party dress: Reformation Kourtney Red Dress, £298 / $278
- The red mini dress:Mango Halter-Neck Open-Back Dress, £35.99 / $59.99
- The versatile red dress:Rixo Sandrine Red Dress, £235 / $320
- The black tie red dress:Phase Eight Donna Maxi Dress, £149 / $230
- The long-sleeve red dress:Nobody's Child Zora Dress, £130 / $222
Celebrities and royals wearing red dresses
Red is definitely Queen Letizia's colour. The Spanish royal has been pictured looking stunning in a red dress for both formal and off-duty occasions, as seen above in a sleek halterneck number and metallic heels. She most recently wore a red midi dress from Mango whilst on holiday with her family in Palma.
The duch*ess of Sussex is another royal who loves a red dress. From the scarlet red Safiyaa cape dress (above), which she accessorised with a red satin clutch by Manolo Blahnik and matching Stuart Weitzman pumps, to the beautiful red gown she wore to the Salute To Freedom Gala at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in 2021.
Candice Swanepoel also looked gorgeous in a scarlet gown with red lace-up heels and a red lip to attend the amfAR Gala Cannes in 2022, while last year Natalie Portman stepped out in a red mini dress by Dior, styling it with a matching jacket and stilettos.
How I chose the best red dresses
- Colour:My edit of course only includes dresses in a red hue - although some are true red while others lean slightly scarlet. No printed styles are included.
- Warm weather-appropriate: While many of these red dresses could be worn all year round, this edit is currently focused on spring/summer styles. Think breezy cuts and lightweight fabrics.
- Price:I've found red dresses at a range of price points, from £35 Mango numbers to £300 pieces from celeb-favourite Reformation.
Reformation Kourtney Red Dress
Reformation Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Colours available: Red, Black, Aquamarine, Floral print
Shipping:£6 Standard Delivery or free over £100
Returns:£6 within 30 days
With its 90s-style spaghetti straps, flattering faux wrap cut and sultry back split, this midi from Reformation is the red party dress of my dreams. I'd style it with barely-there heels and a classic red lip.
Rixo Sandrine Red Dress
Rixo Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-20
Colours available:Red, Black, Pink, Blue, White
Shipping:£5 Standard Delivery
Returns:Free within 14 days
Rixo's Sandrine dress is made from a stunning lightweight daisy print jacquard. Cut with a V-neckline and backline and flattering empire waist, it skims the figure beautifully. Style it with gold jewellery and boots now, then barely-there sandals this summer.
Mango Halter-Neck Open-Back Dress
Mango Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Colours available:Red
Shipping:£2.99 for Standard Delivery
Returns: £2.99 within 14 days
Mango just dropped this halterneck red dress that falls just above the knee and features the most flattering shift cut. I love it styled with statement gold earrings for an easy win this spring/summer.
Nobody's Child Zora Red Dress
Nobody's Child Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-18
Colours available: Red,Green
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £100
Returns: Free within 30 days
Nobody's Child's trending dress has long statement puff sleeves and a softly fitted waist falling to an A-line skirt. Made with a touch of linen for added softness and breathability, it's still perfect for summer. Style it with mules or platform heels.
New Look Red Cotton Broderie Hem Midi Dress
New Look Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-22
Colours available: Red
Shipping: £2.99 for Standard Delivery or free on orders over £50
Returns: £1.99 within 28 days
For a daytime red midi dress, head to New Look. This broderie hem piece will look amazing with a pair of leather slides and a rattan bag as we move into the warmer months.
Karen Millen Soft Tailored Pleated Midaxi Dress
Karen Millen Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-16
Colours available: Red, Black, White, Blush, Green
Shipping:£4.99 Standard Delivery or free with Karen Millen Premier
Returns:£2 within 28 days or free with Karen Millen Premier
For a fail-safe occasionwear dress, Karen Millen's bestselling red midi has a chic high neckline, and cool side panels, finishing with a flared skirt.
Phase Eight Donna Maxi Dress
Phase Eight Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-26, Regular & Petite
Colours available:Red
Shipping:£2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150
Returns:Free within 28 days
Phase Eight's Donna dress is a beautiful choice for your next formal occasion. It features flattering ruching at both the front and back, as well as a modern asymmetric hem. Pair it with a clutch and sky-high heels.
Club L London The Anisa Maxi Dress
Club L London Red Dress
Sizes available:UK 4-16
Colours available:Red
Shipping: £4 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £80
Returns: Free within 30 days
With its layered halter neck, elegant Bardot neckline and bodycon cut with split side detail, Club L London's very glamorous red maxi dress is perfect if you're looking for a showstopping piece.
Miss Selfridge Red Blazer Dress
ASOS Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-18
Colours available:Red
Shipping:Free Standard Delivery
Returns:Free within 28 days
When in doubt, wear a blazer dress. And if you don't want to blend in, make it red. This one by Miss Selfridge has a shawl collar, ruched detail and long sleeves for a super flattering piece.
River Island Red Knit Rib Jumper Maxi Dress
River Island Red Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-18, Petite & Plus
Colours available: Red
Shipping:£4 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50
Returns:Free within 28 days
A lightweight knitted dress is ideal to wear during the transitional seasons, and I love the look-at-me red hue of this maxi from River Island. It features a tie-waist and ribbed detail.
& Other Stories Satin Midi Dress
& Other Stories Red Wrap Dress
Sizes available: EUR 32-46
Colours available: Red
Shipping: £4 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £80
Returns: Free within 30 days
Made from a satin style fabric, & Other Stories figure-skimming red midi is the perfect date night dress. The best bit? The stunning lace-up open back.
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